Device and method for cooling food machinery

ABSTRACT

A machine for producing or processing foods with a machine housing and a cooling system for cooling the machine housing interior, whereby the cooling system is formed in such a way that the ambient air is not contaminated by the cooling agent that is contaminated with germs, and a method for cooling the food processing or producing machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of priority of GermanApplication No. 102010031393.9, filed Jul. 15, 2010. The entire text ofthe priority application is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to a machine for producing or processing food aswell as to a method for cooling such a machine.

BACKGROUND

Great demands are made on hygiene when foods are produced or processed.In particular, the ambient air that can come into contact with an openfood product must also be as free of germs as possible. A pathogen canreach the product from the contaminated ambient air. It is consequentlypossible, for example, for sausage meat in a hopper or storage containerto come into contact with contaminated ambient air during sausageproduction. This, in turn, can lead to an impairment of the quality ofthe product or even to health risks for the end consumer.

During the production of foods, however, an unwanted germ load arisesagain and again, in spite of diligent hygiene.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

On this basis, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide amachine for producing or processing foods as well as a correspondingmethod that contribute to a reduction of the germ load in the ambientair and in the product.

It has become apparent that the air cooling of a machine for producingfoods can represent a contamination source that is not negligible.Machines and systems in food production, for example, cutters, mixers,emulsifiers, vacuum filling machines, clippers, packaging machines,etc., in some cases need high levels of electric power, whereby thepower dissipation creates heat. The machines are customarily cooled withambient air. In this process, the air is blown through an air duct andinto the machine interior with a ventilator. Alternatively, the air isblown out of the machine interior with a ventilator. Because thesemachines are customarily used in a relatively cool environment, thisapproach produces effective and efficient cooling. The machine interiorhere is customarily not accessible for cleaning purposes. The machineinterior is likewise usually not hygienically organized, due to theprinciple. One consequence of this is the risk of the entry of germswith uncontrolled germ reproduction in the machine interior,particularly as a result of the heated air. This exhaust air canunexpectedly be so contaminated that the abovementioned germcontamination problems develop.

According to the present disclosure, however, the cooling system is nowformed in such a way that the ambient air is not contaminated by acooling agent with germ contamination. Ambient air here is to beunderstood as the air in the production area in which the machine isinstalled. The gel in count in the ambient air and consequently in theproduct can consequently be substantially reduced. The presentdisclosure makes possible effective and efficient machine coolingwithout contamination of the ambient air or the machine interior withgerms.

In an especially advantageous manner, the cooling system uses aircooling with an air inlet, an air outlet and a ventilating device forgenerating a cool air flow in the interior of the machine housing, aswell as at least one device for removing gel ins from the cooling air.Due to the fact that the germs are removed from the cooling air, the aircan be blown off into the production area without reservations andwithout there being a risk that the product will become contaminated.The cooling agent flow flows freely through the machine housinginterior. The interior of the machine housing is limited by the machinehousing's outer walls. Various electronic system components are arrangedin the interior of the machine housing as heat generators, around whichthe cooling air flow flows directly, consequently cooling thecomponents. For the selective flow onto individual components, thecooling agent flow can additionally be conducted in parts.

It is advantageous if the device for removing germs comprises aradiation source, preferably a UV radiation source. A UVC radiationsource is particularly suitable. It is, however, also possible to removethe get ins from the cooling air with X-rays, gamma rays, electronbombardment, etc. Due to the irradiation, the DNA of the germs, forexample, the viruses, bacteria or spores, is modified to the extent thatthese cells cannot replicate. An effect of greater than 99.99% can beachieved. If a radiation source is used, particularly UV radiation, theresult is a very high level of process reliability and productionreliability due to the strongly reduced germ load. This leads to a veryhigh level of product quality and a prolonged shelf life. Excellent airhygiene and consequently a healthier work environment for employees canalso be realized. No chemicals or other substances have to be introducedinto the ambient air or product. No toxic compounds result from theirradiation of the cooling air. There is likewise no development ofresistance on the part of the microorganisms. The microorganismsfurthermore become inactive in a matter of seconds due to theirradiation. The desired product characteristics are neverthelesspreserved. If the air is suctioned from the production area into themachine and then expelled back into the production area, the germs areautomatically also removed from the ambient air that has beencontaminated by other sources. A radiation source as a device forremoving germs has a compact design and can easily be integrated intothe machine. A UV source, particularly a UVC source, is economical andhas a long service life. At the same time, the energy consumption islow, so that the machine or the ventilation can also run over night.Minimal service life costs consequently result. Lamp replacement can becarried out in a simple and economical manner. The entire cooling airflow can be captured and the germs can be removed. The process is easyto control.

The device for removing germs can have a chamber for removing germs fromthe air, whereby the cooling air flow flows into and out of thischamber. By arranging the radiation source in a corresponding chamber,it can be ensured that the germs are sufficiently removed from theentire cooling air flow with a certain radiation intensity. It is,however, just as easily possible to arrange the radiation sourcealternatively or additionally freely in the machine housing interior. Ifthe radiation source is located in the machine housing interior,surfaces of individual machine components can also be irradiated andconsequently disinfected. It is furthermore also possible to provide theradiation source in a supply air line and/or exhaust air line that areconnected to the air inlet or air outlet of the machine housing. Themounting of the radiation source in the supply air or exhaust air linecan also very easily be carried out after the fact. The radiation sourcecan also be integrated into the supply air or exhaust air line as astandalone device, i.e., e.g., in the form of a docking station that isattached to, e.g., an inlet or outlet connection piece of the machinehousing via a line, particularly a hose. Then, for example, theventilating device can be arranged in the separate device or the dockingstation.

An electronics box is provided in the machine housing interior formachine control, whereby the machine controller and other sensitiveelectronic components are arranged in this electronics box. Thiselectronics box is conventionally heated in order to prevent moisturefrom accumulating due to condensation when the machine cools after beingswitched off. The radiation source is now arranged in the machinehousing interior in an advantageous manner in such a way that theelectronics box is heated by the radiation source. This consequentlymakes it possible to do without extra heating for the electronics box,and the waste heat from the radiation source can be used sensibly.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one device for removinggerms comprises means for introducing a disinfecting active substancemist in the cooling air flow. The germs are killed off by means of theintroduction of the active ingredient mist. Fruit acid, benzoic acid andsorbic acid, as well as lactic acid or hydrogen peroxide, etc., forexample, particularly as an aerosol, can be considered here for theactive substance.

This embodiment also has the advantage of a machine interior with a lowgerm count. The active substance mist can be distributed throughout theentire machine housing interior by the cooling air flow. There is only alow or even no impairment of the quality of the food due to the activesubstance mist precipitate. The result is the highest level of processreliability and the highest level of production reliability, whichproduce a high level of product quality and a prolonged shelf life. Thereproduction of microorganisms is effectively prevented, and existingmicroorganisms are reliably killed. The germs are automatically removedfrom the contaminated ambient air in the process. A corresponding devicecan easily be integrated into the machine housing interior or in asupply and/or exhaust air line. A compact, mobile disinfection devicecan alternatively be used. This mobile disinfection device can, forexample, be integrated into the supply or exhaust air line, i.e., e.g.,in the form of a docking station that can be connected to an inlet oroutlet connection piece of the housing with a line or a hose. The mobiledisinfection device can then possibly also comprise the ventilator. Theoverall results are low costs and a long service life.

According to a further embodiment, the air is alternatively oradditionally not blown off into the production area, but instead the airoutlet is connected to an exhaust air line, by means of which thecooling air flow can be blown off outside of the production area. Inthis way, contaminated cooling air does not come into contact with thefood. It is also possible to conduct the cooling agent within a closedcircuit, i.e., it is possible for the exhaust air then to serve again asthe supply air for the cooling. In this process, a heat exchange meansis provided that cools the exhaust air before it is again fed to themachine as cooling air. It is also possible to feed the cooling air froman area outside. This embodiment represents a closed system that isindependent of the ambient air. This does not result in an impairment ofthe ambient air and consequently the product. Here again, the highestlevel of process reliability and the highest level of productionreliability result, along with a high level of product quality. Thereare furthermore low costs and a prolonged shelf life. Here again, it ispossible to do without the introduction of chemicals and othersubstances into the ambient air or the product. This solution is veryeconomical, has a long service life, and represents an easilycontrollable process. No consumable materials are necessary.

Finally, the air cooling can alternatively or additionally be replacedwith liquid cooling, particularly water cooling, with a closed circuit,which likewise prevents air contamination. The cooling system can alsoalternatively or additionally be implemented by means of a coolingmachine, particularly a compression cooling machine. Here again, thereis no contaminated exhaust air. The machine interior is then cooled byheat exchange.

It is also possible to integrate at least one filter element into thesupply and/or exhaust air line. The filters (coarse, fine, electrostaticfilter, etc.) can also reduce the reproduction of the microorganisms andcontribute to a low germ count in the machine interior. Here again thereis no impairment of the quality of the food, but there is increasedprocess reliability and production reliability, and consequently a highlevel of product quality. The shelf life of the product can beprolonged. The product characteristics are preserved. The contaminatedambient air is filtered, which leads to the removal of germs andfiltration. Particularly in combination with a downstream device forremoving germs, it is possible to catch the killed germs and otherunwanted air components.

It is likewise advantageous if the machine housing additionally oralternatively is formed as a machine design that is open or that can beopened. In this way, the machine housing interior can be periodicallycleaned and disinfected, which leads to a considerable reduction in thegerm load of the cooling air flow.

The machine is preferably a machine for producing or processing food,particularly a machine from the following group: Filling machine,cutter, emulsifier, clipper, packaging machine, etc.

In the method according to the disclosure, the cooling means isconsequently, as explained previously, treated or conducted in such away that the ambient air is not contaminated with germs. This isparticularly brought about by means of irradiation or a disinfectingactive substance mist. The cooling agent flow is irradiated with UVradiation, particularly UVC radiation. During the irradiation of thecooling air flow, an electronics box can be heated by the radiant heat.

The possibly necessary controller for the device for removing germs herecan optionally be integrated into the machine controller or it can beexecuted as a standalone controller. The intensity of the radiationsource is adjustable, and is particularly adjusted or controlled orregulated depending on the germ density in the air and/or theirradiation duration. The change in the radiation intensity can, forexample, take place by switching on one or more radiation sources, or bychanging the output. The quantity of disinfectant introduced into theair flow can correspondingly be adjusted or controlled or regulated bytime and the introduction duration of the disinfectant cancorrespondingly be adjusted or controlled or regulated depending on thegerm density.

A combination of at least two of the embodiments described above is alsopossible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is explained in more detail in the following withreference to the following figures.

FIG. 1 a shows a rough schematic cut through a machine according to afirst embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the device forremoving germs is arranged in a chamber for removing germs from the airin the machine housing interior in the area of the effluent cooling airflow.

FIG. 1 b shows a detail of an embodiment according to the disclosure ina rough schematic sectional representation in which the device for germremoval is provided in the exhaust air line.

FIG. 2 a shows a rough schematic cut through a machine according to afurther embodiment of the present disclosure in which a device forremoving germs is arranged within the machine housing interior in achamber for removing germs from the air in the area of the inflowingcooling air flow.

FIG. 2 b shows a rough schematic view of an embodiment according to thedisclosure in a rough schematic sectional representation in which thedevice for removing germs is provided in the supply air line.

FIG. 3 shows a rough schematic view of a cut through an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure in which the device for removinggerms is arranged freely in the machine housing interior.

FIG. 4 shows a rough schematic view of a cut through an embodiment of amachine in which a radiation source is arranged in the area of anelectronics box.

FIG. 5 shows a rough schematic view of an embodiment according to thepresent disclosure in which the cooling system comprises a coolingmachine.

FIG. 6 shows a rough schematic view of a cut through an embodimentaccording to the present disclosure in which air is supplied from theoutside and is blown off outside the production area.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in a rough schematic sectional representationin which the cooling agent is conducted in a circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a rough schematic view of a cut through a machine 1 forproducing or processing food. Here the machine is for producing orprocessing food, for example, a filling machine for producing sausages.The machine is installed in a production area with ambient air 12. Themachine here comprises e.g., a hopper 8 for filling in the filling,e.g., sausage meat, a conveyor 5 a with a corresponding drive thatslides the sausage meat into a filling pipe 9 as well as a filling pipe9 by means of which the sausage meat is expelled into a shirred sausagecasing on the filling pipe. Such filling machines are common knowledge.The precise construction and function of such a filling machine areshown in EP 0250733, for example, so that a detailed description of sucha machine is dispensed with.

The machine here comprises a closed machine housing 10 in which thedifferent system components, particularly also heat generators, arearranged. As a heat generator, this system has, e.g., the conveyor 5 awith a corresponding drive for transporting the filling. The devicefurthermore has as heat generators, for example, a drive 5 b for turningthe filling pipe 9 and a transformer 5 c. Furthermore, for example, adrive 5 d for external attachments, such as, e.g., an attachment passingmachine, can also be provided. The heat generators 5 a, b, c, d etc.,are located in a relatively small area in the closed housing 10.Machines and systems in food production need high levels of electricalpower, whereby a correspondingly large level of waste heat arises, sothat the interior 16 of the housing 10 must be cooled.

In this embodiment, the cooling system is an air cooling system with anair inlet 2 and an air outlet 4 in the housing, as well as a ventilatingdevice 3 for generating a cooling air flow in the interior 16 of themachine housing 10. Here the ventilating device 3 is arranged in thearea of the air inlet 2 within the housing 10. The ventilating device 3that generates the cooling air flow 11 can, however, likewise beprovided in a supply air line 14. Used as the ventilating device 3 areradial or axial ventilators, for example. Additionally or alternatively,the air can also be suctioned in and blown off from the machine housinginterior 16 via a ventilating device in the exhaust air area, i.e., inan exhaust air line 15 or before an air outlet 4 (not shown). In thisembodiment, ambient air is suctioned in from the production area 12 asthe cooling air flow L and then discharged again, as shown by thearrows, via an air outlet of the housing. The air inlet 2 and the airoutlet 4 can be connected to corresponding supply and exhaust air lines14 and 15 or corresponding connection pieces, however they can also beformed only as an opening in the housing. Because the machines arecustomarily used in a relatively cool environment, this approachproduces effective and efficient air cooling.

In order to prevent air 12 from being contaminated with germ-riddencooling air in the production area, a device 7 for removing germs fromthe cooling air is provided. In this special embodiment, a chamber forremoving germs from the air 6 is provided for this purpose in the areaof the air outlet 4. The closed chamber has an inflow opening 6 a andoutflow opening 6 b for the cooling air flow L. Here the chamber isarranged at the housing wall, so that the opening 6 b essentiallycorresponds to the air outlet 4. According to a first embodiment, aradiation source 7 for removing germs is provided within the chamber.This radiation source can be one or more UV, particularly UVC, radiationsources. It is, however, also possible to use an X-ray or gammaradiation source or to remove germs from the air flow by means ofelectron bombardment, etc. A UVC radiation source is particularlyadvantageous, however. A UVC radiation source here preferably has anoutput of 15 to 250 watts with a cooling agent flow in a range from 1 to600 m³/h, as well as an inner volume of the housing in a range from 1001 to 10,000 1. The radiation, particularly the UVC radiation, bringsabout the formation of DNA mutations, which lead to structural changesin the DNA helix of the germs and impair replication and transcription.The viruses, bacteria and spores are all deactivated thereby due to achange in the DNA. Such a number of DNA errors arise that the cells canno longer divide. The effect that can be achieved (killing of the germs)is >99.99%. Due to the fact that the cooling air flow L flows throughthe chamber 6, it is ensured that the entire cooling air flow isirradiated once with sufficient intensity. The emerging cooling air,which is as germfree as possible, consequently does not contaminate theambient air 12. Accordingly, virtually no pathogens can reach theproduct, e.g., sausage meat, due to the air flow from the contaminatedambient air 12. The product quality is not impaired, and there are alsono health risks arising for the end consumer or the employees in thearea 12.

As is shown in FIG. 1 b, the device for removing germs 7 can be arrangednot only within the housing 10 but also in an exhaust air line 15, asshown in FIG. 1 b. The device for removing germs can also be integratedinto the exhaust air line 15 in the form of a docking station, meaningas a standalone device, whereby the docking station can be connected toan outlet connection piece with a line or hose. This docking station canalso comprise the ventilator 3.

FIG. 2 a shows a further embodiment of the present disclosure thatcorresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, whereby the device forremoving germs 7 is, however, arranged in the area of the air inlet 2,likewise in a chamber for removing germs from the air 6 through whichthe cooling air flow L flows and whereby the germs are removed from itby the radiation. As follows from FIG. 2 b, here the device for removingget ins 7 can also be arranged in the supply air line 14, which leads tothe air inlet 2. As a standalone device in the form of a dockingstation, the device for removing germs 7 can also be connected here tothe inlet or outlet connection piece of the housing, for example, with ahose or a line, and consequently form a part of the supply air line.This docking station can optionally also comprise the ventilator 3.While in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a, 1 b it is ensuredthat only cooling air from which the germs have been completely removedenters directly into the area 12, the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, 2 bhas the advantage that air from which the germs have already beenremoved flows into the machine housing interior 16 so that germcontamination of the surfaces can be reduced. It is particularlyadvantageous if corresponding devices for removing germs from thecooling air are provided both in the area of the air inlet and in thearea of the air outlet.

According to a further embodiment, however, it is also possible toarrange the device for removing germs 7 freely within the housing 10 inthe machine housing interior 16. This embodiment has the advantage thatsurfaces of the individual machine components in the interior of thehousing can also be disinfected, for example by means of the radiationsource.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment according to the present disclosure.Here the radiation source 7, particularly the UVC radiation source, canbe arranged so close to an electronics box 11 that the electronics box11 is heated by the radiation and/or by the waste heat of the radiationsource, e.g., by 10-20° K. The electronics box comprises, e.g., themachine controller. The heating of the electronics box is advantageousbecause in this way the accumulation of condensation water on theelectronic parts is prevented. In this way it is possible to foregoheating the electronics box 11.

FIGS. 1 to 3 have been described in conjunction with a device forremoving germs 7 that comprises a radiation source. Instead of aradiation source, however, a device can also be provided that introducesa disinfecting active substance mist into the cooling air flow. Thisdevice is preferably provided with a nozzle that is connected to astorage container for the active substance via a line that is not shown,via a pump. A vaporizer can also be provided instead of the pump. Thenozzle is formed in such a way that a fine mist can be produced. Germsare killed due to the introduction of the aerosol mist into the coolingair flow. The following active substances can be considered for this:fruit acid, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, lactic acid; hydrogen peroxide,etc. Preferably a fine aerosol mist is created thereby. The nozzle canthereby, as was described in conjunction with the preceding embodimentsin conjunction with FIG. 1 a, b, 2 a, b and 3, be arranged at thecorresponding locations at which the radiation source 7 is alsoarranged, i.e., in the area of the air inlet and/or air outlet incorresponding chambers for removing germs from the air 6 and/or in thesupply and exhaust air lines 14, 15 and/or also freely in the machinehousing interior 16. The aerosol mist can be introduced continuously insmall amounts, e.g., 10 to 450 ml/h. It is, however, also possible tointroduce the aerosol mist at certain intervals instead of continuously.This is sufficient because the disinfecting active substanceprecipitates on the surfaces and as a result, increased germ formationis prevented and existing germs are killed off.

This embodiment consequently also has the advantage of a low germ countin the machine interior if the aerosol mist is uniformly distributed bymeans of the cooling air flow L throughout the entire machine interiorand leads to disinfection of the surfaces. The quality of the food istherefore only slightly impaired or is not impaired at all. Thissolution is also simple to integrate into the machine. An equivalentsolution is especially economical to implement. The germ removal cantake place during production with the machine, but also during pauses orother standstill periods, such as, e.g., over night. The device forremoving germs preferably has a controller that activates the individualactuators of the device for removing germs. The controller can therebyoptionally be integrated into the machine controller or it can beexecuted as a standalone controller. Integration of the controller intothe machine controller is advantageous because then the user can operatethe entire machine, including cooling and cooling air disinfection, froman operator interface.

It is then advantageous if the intensity of the radiation source iscontrolled or regulated, for example, depending on the germ density inthe air. The germ density can, for example, be registered via acorresponding device in situ in the device or in the ambient air and,for example, be determined by establishing a culture in the known way.The intensity of the radiation source can likewise be controlled orregulated or adjusted depending on the radiation duration. The intensitycan, for example, be adjusted by switching on one or more radiationsources. The intensity can also be adjusted by varying the output of theradiation source.

The quantity of disinfectant that is introduced into the cooling flowper time and the duration of the injection can be adjusted and can becontrolled or regulated particularly depending on the germ density inthe air.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment according to the present disclosure.To prevent the ambient air 12 from becoming contaminated with germshere, a cooling machine 13, particularly a compressing cooling machine13, is provided here instead of an air cooling system 2, 4, 3. The airin the machine housing interior 16 is cooled by means of heat exchangeacross a surface of the cooling machine. The cooling machine is driven,for example, electrically or e.g., with gas, etc.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment according to the present disclosure.In order to prevent contamination of the ambient air by means of thecooling agent that is contaminated with genus, the exhaust air line 15of the air cooling system is of such a length that the cooling air flowL can be blown out beyond the production area. Pipes, hoses or the likecan be connected to the machine 1 for this purpose. The air provided forcooling can also optionally be suctioned in or blown in from the outsidevia the supply air line 14.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment according to the present disclosure.Here the cooling air flow L can be conducted in a closed circuit via acorresponding closed loop 15, 14. This means that the cooling air flow Lis introduced into the machine or into the housing 10 for cooling againfrom the air outlet 4 via the air inlet 2. For this purpose, preferablya heat exchange device 17 is provided that cools off the heated coolingair flow. The waste heat gained from the heat exchanger can be reusedfor other purposes. This has the advantage that on the one hand, theinterior of the housing 10 can be sufficiently cooled and the waste heatcan be reused efficiently, but without contaminating the ambient air 12.A correspondingly closed circuit can also be implemented by conductingliquid cooling in the circuit. Liquid cooling with an open circuit isalso possible, however.

Even although it is not shown, at least one filter element can bearranged in the area of the air inlet 2 and/or the air outlet 4 or inthe supply air line 14 and/or exhaust air line 15, in addition to or asan alternative for cleaning the cooling air flow. To be considered asfilter elements are, for example, coarse, fine, electrostatic or wet airfilters. The corresponding filters also serve to reduce the germs. Thefilters can catch killed germs and other undesired air components.Filters with a disinfecting effect, e.g., filters with a silver ortitanium dioxide coating, can also be used.

It is also advantageous if the housing is formed as an open machinedesign, or as a machine design that can be opened. This makes itpossible to clean the machine interior. Microorganisms that are presentcan consequently be killed and it is possible to reduce the developmentof new germ contamination in the cooling air. In the case of the openmachine design, the housing has a sufficiently large opening on at leastone side. The housing can also be formed in such a way that, e.g., atleast one wall of the housing 10 can be at least partially opened or canbe completely removed from a frame.

The individually shown embodiments can also be combined with oneanother.

1. A machine for the production or processing of food, comprising amachine housing, a cooling system for cooling the machine housinginterior, the cooling system being formed in such a way that the ambientair is not contaminated by the cooling agent that is contaminated withgerms.
 2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the cooling system is anair cooling system with an air inlet, an air outlet, a ventilatingdevice for generating a cooling air flow in the interior of the machinehousing, and at least one device for removing germs from the coolingair.
 3. The machine according to claim 2, wherein the device forremoving germs comprises a radiation source.
 4. The machine according toclaim 2, wherein the device for removing germs comprises a chamber forremoving germs from the air in which the radiation source is arrangedand through which the cooling air flow flows, and/or the radiationsource is freely arranged in the machine housing interior and/or theradiation source is provided in a supply air line and/or exhaust airline.
 5. The machine according to claim 3, and wherein an electronicsbox is arranged in the machine housing interior, wherein the radiationsource is arranged in such a way that the electronics box is heated bythe radiation source or its waste heat.
 6. The machine according toclaim 2, wherein the at least one device for removing germs comprisesmeans for introducing a disinfecting active substance mist into thecooling air flow.
 7. The machine according to claim 2, wherein the airoutlet is connected to an exhaust air line by means of which the coolingair flow can be blown off outside of the production area and/or that thecooling agent is conducted within a closed circuit and/or that thecooling system comprises a cooling machine.
 8. The machine according toclaim 1, and at least one filter element is arranged in a supply and/orexhaust air line.
 9. The machine according to claim 1, and the machinehousing is formed as an open machine design or as a machine design thatcan be opened.
 10. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the machineis a machine for sausage production.
 11. A method for cooling a machinefor producing or processing food according to claim 1, wherein thecooling agent is treated or conducted in such a way that the ambient airis not contaminated with germs as a result.
 12. The method according toclaim 11, wherein the cooling agent is air and the germs are removedfrom the cooling air flow.
 13. The method according to claim 21, whereinthe cooling agent flow is irradiated with UV radiation.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 21, wherein, during the irradiation of the coolingair flow, heating an electronics box by the radiant heat or waste heatof the radiation source.
 15. The method according to claim 21, whereinthe intensity of the radiation source can be adjusted, and the durationof the introduction of the disinfecting active substance can beadjusted.
 16. Machine according to claim 2, wherein the controller ofthe device for removing germs is integrated in a machine controller ofthe machine.
 17. The machine according to claim 3, wherein the radiationsource is a UV radiation source.
 18. The machine according to claim 17,wherein the UV radiation source is a UVC radiation source.
 19. Themachine according to claim 7, wherein the cooling machine comprises acompression cooling machine.
 20. The machine according to claim 10,wherein the machine for sausage production comprising one of a fillingmachine, cutter, emulsifier, clipper, or packaging machine.
 21. Themethod according to claim 12, wherein the germs are removed from thecooling air flow by means of irradiation or by a disinfecting activesubstance mist.
 22. The method according to claim 13, wherein the UVradiation is UVC radiation.
 23. The method according to claim 15,wherein the intensity of the radiation source is controlled or regulateddepending on the germ density in the air and/or the irradiation durationor the quantity of disinfectant per time.
 24. The method according toclaim 15, wherein the duration of the introduction of the disinfectingactive substance is controlled or regulated depending on the germdensity in the air.